Canadian HR Reporter

16 www.hrreporter.com F E A T U R E S Amid a challenging year, Chartered Professionals in Human Resources (CPHR) Canada has worked hard to collaborate with the provinces and regions. "We're having a lot of dialogue, more than we've ever had… because, at the end of the day, it really is about supporting our members who are now the rallying point around this pandemic," says Anthony Ariganello, CEO of CPHR Canada in Vancouver. "They have been called upon more than any profession to really respond to this and help employers and employees. They really are, I would call it, the conduit between all stakeholders, whether it's with government, employers, employees, WorkSafe[BC] in the various provinces and so on." For years, HR has been talked about as an administrative role, but now it's evolving to a very pronounced, strategic role, he says. "We've been called upon to really respond and help support both organizations that are into a transition, meaning cuts, layoffs, temporary closures, and then other businesses that are booming [such as] online businesses," says Ariganello. "No more than the present has HR been in the limelight. And that's great; it's been good for members within our profession." But it's also been very difficult, he says, because HR professionals are dealing with their own personal issues. the situation? And then we can use this data to actually help government understand what have they been doing? And have they been doing it?" The Canada-wide group is also continuing to work on upgrading its competency framework, which is six or seven years old, he says. "It's time for a refresh, to look at… where are we and what do we need to do? So, we've been working very hard at that. And, in the new year, we'll be rolling out a new competency framework for CPHR." Despite a very tough year for many HR professionals, Chartered Professionals in Human Resources of British Columbia & Yukon (CPHR BC & Yukon) has seen it membership grow seven per cent this year, according to Anthony Ariganello, president and CEO. "We're almost at 7,000 members, which is a pleasant surprise. But what I attribute that to is the fact that HR has been the profession to go to, and people have seen that it's the place to be right now. It's very strategic, very much in demand and very much at the centre stage." The demand is there with students, too, as CPHR BC & Yukon saw the most writers ever registered for the National Knowledge Exam (NKE) in the fall, he says. "It speaks to the fact that the profession's in high demand." CPHR CANADA FOCUSES ON COLLABORATION, PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT B.C., YUKON ENJOY RISING MEMBERSHIP NUMBERS To best support members, CPHR Canada has worked on providing topical symposiums and webinars, particularly ones that look at the legal side of issues. "One of the big things we've done this year has been on professional development, to really support our members so that they're equipped to deal with what they have to do every day now," says Ariganello. CPHR Canada is also working with government, having submitted a brief at the federal level looking at modifying legislation around protecting the gig worker. "[It's about] ensuring that there's protection for those who are now working remotely more and more, because this might become the way of the future. So, they're listening to that," he says. "At the national level, we've really been able to make a mark and influence stakeholders who will support our members, ultimately, and the HR profession. So that's been really a positive thing for us." CPHR Canada is also planning to do a research project in the fourth quarter of 2020 looking at the various stimulus programs that have been rolled out by the federal government and how that compares with other G20 countries, says Ariganello. "Have we done too much… not enough? How have employers felt about it, employees, HR, etc.? And also by province, how has B.C., for example, fared versus Alberta, versus Ontario? Has it affected the GDP? Has it affected employment, unemployment? What's Despite the pandemic, Canada's HR associations have been kept busy supporting growing memberships as HR is thrust into the spotlight coping with dramatic changes in the workplace HR ASSOCIATIONS SHINE DURING DIFFICULT YEAR H R A S S O C I AT I O N S The association is focusing most of its attention on supporting members and professional development. That's meant a lot of half-day hours-long sessions to help members, which have been well received, says Ariganello. One of the biggest challenges right now is the rise of so many people working remotely, raising many questions for HR professionals, he says. "How do you monitor performance? How do you professionally develop [people]? Because, of course, with people not coming into the office, the essence of the relationship has changed. Yes, you're seeing people on Zoom, but people are getting

• Cover